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Bouquets & Brickbats

They get what they deserve

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The Youth Rescue Initiative

raised donations of more than 4,500 books via "Power Through
Reading," a recent communitywide drive. The program was led by former
FBI special agent-in-charge Jim Bernazzani and jazzman Irvin Mayfield
Jr., who doubles as chair of the New Orleans Public Library. Loyola
University students Andy Beal and Chris Zimny came up with the idea for
Power Through Reading, which pairs library branches with neighborhood
nonprofit reading programs to serve at-risk children.

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Paul Prudhomme,

the legendary local chef and owner of K-Paul's Louisiana Kitchen,
was honored earlier this month by the American Culinary Federation
(ACF) at the group's national convention in Orlando. Prudhomme received
the group's Leadership Award for his many contributions to the American
culinary landscape since opening his iconic French Quarter restaurant
in 1979, which helped introduce the rest of the country to Cajun
cuisine. The ACF, established in 1929, is one of the leading
professional organizations for chefs and culinarians in North
America.

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Stocker Fontelieu and John Wilmot

received Star Awards from the New Orleans chapter of the American
Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA). Both are
decades-long veterans of the local theater and television scenes.
Fontelieu is a native and Tulane graduate who has appeared in
productions at Le Petit Theatre du Vieux Carre since the 1940s and
played "Dr. Walrus" in the Maison Blanche "Mr. Bingle" specials, while
Wilmot, a Loyola grad, was active at Le Petit in the 1960s. Both men
are former AFTRA New Orleans board members.

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Ray Nagin

urged former city residents who want to return to claim New Orleans
as their residence on the 2010 U.S. Census — a scheme that,
according to the Census Bureau, is illegal. The mayor's spokesman,
James Ross, told The Wall Street Journal that the mayor's advice
was only for "people who are really close to coming back," but lying on
a census form is punishable by a fine of up to $500. "Our hands are
tied as far as what he [Nagin] tells his constituents," said Katherine
Smith of the Census Bureau, adding the agency has "had our challenges"
with the mayor. So have we.